FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT SEATTLE - PAGE 3

SEATTLE, Jan 21 (Reuters) - A Seattle-based investment group led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Steve Ballmer has signed a binding agreement to buy a controlling interest in the Sacramento Kings basketball team, according to a statement on the group's website Monday. Terms of the deal, which has been expected for several weeks, were not disclosed, and the final agreement is subject to approval by the National Basketball Association.

The Sports Xchange Report: Kings owners sell team to Seattle group The Maloof family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, has reached an agreement to sell a 65 percent controlling interest in the Kings to a Seattle group led by Chris Hansen for $525 million, ESPN.com reported Sunday. NBA teams were formally notified on Sunday night that the deal had been struck, according to the report, but the deal still requires league approval. Hansen is expected to submit a relocation application to the league by the March 1 deadline with the intention of moving the team to Seattle in time for the 2013-14 season.

The Sports Xchange EditorsNote: Updates with vote and quote from Stern NBA keeps Kings in Sacramento, blocks Seattle move The Sacramento Kings are staying in Sacramento. The NBA Board of Governors voted 22-8 Wednesday to keep the Kings in Sacramento and not to allow the team to move to Seattle. The Kings' future in Sacramento has been in limbo as an ownership group in Seattle, headed by hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer have pursued moving the Kings to the Northwest.

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A Seattle-area man appeared in federal court on Wednesday on charges of threatening to assassinate President Barack Obama in a taunting email to the FBI and assaulting a federal agent sent to arrest him. Caluori, 31, was arrested at his apartment south of Seattle on Tuesday after the FBI notified the Secret Service about the alleged threat. He had five guns, including two assault rifles, when arrested, according to the criminal complaint against him. "I will kill the president!"

John Graham, the architect who designed the Space Needle for the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, among other well-known projects, died Tuesday in Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. He was 82 and lived in Seattle and on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound. He died of heart disease, said a spokesman for his firm, John Graham Associates. He headed the firm until 1985 and continued working until a few weeks before his death. In the late 1940s, Mr. Graham designed a shopping center-Northgate, outside Seattle-that became a prototype for others around the country.

Point guard's return sparks Virginia in blowout of Seattle CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia played its best offensive game of the season in an 83-43 win over Seattle on Saturday, thanks in large part to the availability of a true point guard. Redshirt freshman point guard Teven Jones saw his first action of the season, which was good news for the Cavaliers (2-2) considering their injuries at the position and the defensive pressure of Seattle (1-1). Jones was suspended for the opener against George Mason and missed the last two games with a back injury.

Seattle's first and only recreational marijuana store had to close on Friday after running out of stock in just three days since Washington became the second U.S. state to allow pot sales to adults. Cannabis City opened in Seattle on Tuesday with at least 10 pounds of marijuana for sale, and by close of business Thursday it was all gone. A message on the store's phone line said it would re-open on July 21. There were widespread concerns that shortages of pot would afflict retailers this week after the state issued its first 25 licenses to outlets, under a heavily regulated and taxed system approved by voters in November 2012.

The Sports Xchange By Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange Battle in Seattle: New QBs central to simmering rivalry Sunday's primetime Battle in Seattle between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seahawks has the ingredients to be an historic launching point for what could remain one of hottest league rivalries over the next decade. At stake Sunday night will be the title of Best in the West, as these NFC rivals each seek to solidify the postseason pecking order in the NFC. San Francisco (10-3-1)

Nordstrom Inc. launched an electronic service to allow shoppers around the world access to items from its flagship Seattle store. The move is the latest by the upscale clothing retailer to expand its presence beyond its 78 stores in 14 states.